Lacing-stud.



No. 673,669. Patented May 7, 190i. B. S. WATSON.

LAGING STUD.

Application filed Jan. 10, 1901.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES ROBERT S. WATSON, OF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK B. SOHEURMANN, OF SAME PLACE.

LAClNG-STUD.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 673,669, dated May 7, 1901. Application filed January 10,1901. Ser'ial No. 42,714. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ROBERT S. WATSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lacing-Studs; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertaius to make and use the same.

This invention relates to books or clasps for securing shoe-lacesin position upon shoes.

The object of the improvement is to provide a hook or catch for the shoe-lace which shall be neat in appearance, simple and inexpensive in construction, and of such form that it will not become caught in the clothing of the wearer.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 shows a number of hooks applied to a shoe. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hook, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged side View. p l

As is clearly shown in the drawings, the device consists in an eyelet or base 1 of any suitable form, which is secured to the shoe by riveting or otherwise. The base 1 carries the operative portion of the hook or catch which forms the subject of this invention. The catch consists in a thin strip of metal fastened at one end to the base 1 and curved upwardly and rearwardly upon itself to form the top 2 of the catch. The remainder of the strip is then curved in the form ofa horizontallyplaced letter S, located between the fixed end 1 of the strip and the top 2. The functions of the top 2 and the S-shaped part will be explained in detail. The lower curve 3 of the S-shaped part is yieldingly pressed downwardly by the spring action of the curved part 2 and almost touches the fixed end 1 of the catch. The shoe-lace may be inserted between the curve part 3 and the fixed end 1 It will then rest in the loop 4 of the S-shaped curve. This loop 4'is of somewhat smaller diameter than the curve 2, a clearance-space 4 being lef t between the loops. The lower extremity of the loop 4 contacts with the fixed end of the catch, but is not secured thereto. This arrangement prevents the shoe-lace from entering the space 4 between the springs, while it permits the loop-4 to be drawn back toward the loop 2 when the shoe-lace is tightened, thus drawing the loop 3 downwardly and pressing it firmly against the fixed end V of the catch. It is thus seen that when the lace is in position in the catch and is made taut the catch presents only a smooth upper surface 2 and two smooth curved ends 2 and 3, which afford no opportunity for catching upon the clothing of the wearer. In practice I prefer to slightly curve the loops 4 and 2 transversely to conform with the direction of the shoelace, thus avoiding abrasive wear upon the lace.

What I claim is- 1. A stud comprising a base secured to the shoe, and a catch secured to said base; said catch consistingin a single strip of metal fixed at one end to the base, its intermediate portion being curved upwardly and rearwardly over the fixed end; the free end of said strip being bent into substantially 8 form and located between the fixed endv and the rearwardly-extending portion.

2. Astud comprising a base secured to the shoe and a catch secured to the base; said catch consisting in a metal strip fixed at one end to the base, its intermediate portion being curved upwardly and rearwardly over the fixed end; the remaining end being bent into substantially S form and inclosed between the fixed end and the rearWardly-extending portion, the outer loop of the S normally pressing against the fixed end, and the end of the inner loop pressing down against the fixed portion; the upwardly-curved intermediate portion and the inner loop of the S having a clearance-space between them, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT S. WATSON. 

